Posted on 07/03/2004 5:51:10 PM PDT by Liz
MARQUETTE - In an intended show of support for U.S. military troops, GKC Theatres will not play Michael Moore's controversial movie "Fahrenheit 9/11" in 23 cities, including Marquette.
GKC President Beth Kerasotes confirmed Thursday that the Springfield, Illinois-based company with roughly 270 movie screens at 29 theaters scattered across five Midwestern states will not show Moore's film as long as the country is at war.
"We believe in Michael Moore's freedom to make this movie," Kerasotes said. "We trust that our customers will recognize and respect our own freedom to choose not to show it. During a time of war, the American troops in Iraq need and deserve our undivided support."
Moore's blockbuster film, which is highly-critical of the Bush administration and its decision to go to war in Iraq, racked up $23.9 million in box office receipts last weekend, becoming the first documentary to debut as Hollywood's top weekend film.
Bryan Jeffries, GKC executive vice-president of film and marketing, said the company's decision is unprecedented in its nearly 20-year history.
"We have never not played a film based on content before," Jeffries said.
GKC owns both the Delft and Royal theaters in Marquette.
Since the film's premiere, many people in the local area have wanted GKC to show the documentary. Initially, there were not enough prints of the film released for GKC to be able to run the movie, Jeffries said.
But now, the film is more widely available.
However, GKC is sticking by its decision, despite the opportunity to draw large ticket sales and the private pleas from moviegoers, some of whom have contacted Kerasotes by telephone and e-mail.
Some GKC customers have called for a boycott of GKC until it shows the movie. Many people equate the decision with censorship, especially in a market like Marquette where both theaters are owned by GKC.
"Even if they don't like it, we should have the choice to be able to see it or not," said Brandon Young, writer of a petition against the decision in Marquette. "We should have the option to see it."
Atara Dror, a Marquette student helping Young circulate the petition, agrees. She thinks the movie is important for people to see because it involves vital current events.
"There's a lot going on with the election and what our country is doing around the world," she said. "There's a lot of people upset about this movie not coming to our town. People should be able to form their own opinions."
There are reportedly a few petitions circulating in Marquette. So far, more than 165 people have signed Young's petition at Emma Joes Common Grounds coffee shop.
Young said he hopes to submit at least 200 signatures to GKC, but ultimately doesn't think the effort will really change anything.
Since the film opened, some moviegoers have organized trips to Green Bay or Traverse City to see the Moore film. Because of a complicated business arrangement, the GKC-owned Horizon Cinemas in Traverse City is the only exception to the company's "Fahrenheit" ban, Jeffries said.
The Lode Theatre in Houghton will show "Fahrenheit 9/11" daily for at least the next two weeks-the only theater in the Upper Peninsula currently doing so.
"It's generated some interest," said owner Judith Mason Mayer. "Actually, we were very fortunate to get a print."
Michael Moore, a native of downstate Flint, was first widely known for his breakthrough 1989 film about the economic fallout of General Motors' shutdown of auto plants in Flint called "Roger & Me."
"Fahrenheit" made more money in its first three days showing across North America than "Bowling for Columbine"-Moore's Oscar-winning 2002 documentary on the Columbine High School massacre-made in its entire run, according to the film's distributors.
"Fahrenheit" won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Kerasotes said that her company-the 15th largest theater circuit in the United States-would decide to show Moore's movie, once the war in Iraq is over.
"If we were not at war, this film would be playing at GKC," Kerasotes said.
Here's the list of GKC Theatres which refused to screen F-911. We encourage FReepers in these areas to patronize GKC theatres.
ILLINOIS IL, Bloomington - Palace Cinemas IL, Bloomington - Parkway Cinemas IL, Champaign - Beverly Cinemas IL, Decatur - Strand Cinemas IL, DeKalb - Market Square Cinemas IL, Forsyth - Hickory Point Cinemas IL, Lincoln - Lincoln Cinemas IL, Morris - Orpheum Cinemas IL, Normal - University Cinemas IL, Peoria - Landmark Mall Cinemas IL, Peru - Peru Mall Cinemas IL, Sterling - Sauk Valley Cinemas IL, Washington - Sunnyland Cinemas
INDIANA IN, Crawfordsville - Capri Cinemas IN, Elkhart - Encore Park Cinemas
MICHIGAN MI, Alpena - Royal Knight Cinemas MI, Alpena - State Cinemas MI, Battle Creek - Lakeview Square Cinemas MI, Big Rapids - Big Rapids Cinemas MI, Fort Gratiot - Birchwood Cinemas MI, Jackson - Plaza Cinemas MI, Ludington - Lyric Cinemas MI, Marquette - Delft Cinemas MI, Marquette - Royal Cinemas MI, Saginaw - Fashion Square Cinemas MI, Sault Ste. Marie - Varsity Cinemas MI, Traverse City - Grand Traverse Cinemas (NB Because of a complicated business arrangement, the GKC-owned Horizon Cinemas in Traverse City is the only exception to the company's "Fahrenheit" ban)
WISCONSIN WI, Marinette - Pine Tree Cinemas
gkccomments@gkctheatres.com
Here's an e-mail address!
ping
Thanks for the link.
Good for her. Nice to see somebody "gets it".
Kudos to GKC.
Foster Beer.. not dissent ;-)
A Happy and Safe 4th
College @ssholes acting in concert with leftis causes - nothing new here. What is new is that Yooper theaters are holding a line - solid Americans in the UP, Baby!
Thanks for posting this as its own thread.
Great story. Thanks for the original link.
Heh. That was predictable, wasn't it?
I only hope for his sake that turd Moore is not playing hanky panky with the F-911 numbers. From Enron to Tyco to Newsday, we are seeing the wages of accounting fraud. I'd really hate to see Moore and the Weinsteins get nailed for corporate and accounting fraud (sbicker).
One has the feeling Moore is constantly seeking revenge on the world ---- maybe because the corpulent wannabe can't even begin to compete as an intellectual, to secure the allegiance of American minds to his spurious causes. Neither can Moore compete as a sexed-up dreamboat. That must rankle him the most. You keep wondering---was this troll able to get a date for the senior prom?
Moore is little more than a divider and rumor-monger. His films are notorious for their lack of authenticity and for Moore's willingness to tweak the truth to come up with a saleable product. That he has been successful---by Follywood standards--- shows the efficacy of being a divider and rumor-monger.
If nothing else, Moore is a role model and a powerful reminder of the wisest of Biblical proscriptions against these practices.
That would put it on track to take in about $15 million or so over the weekend, giving a total take in the $50 million range.
Does that mean that they show kiddie porn and snuff flicks?
Even though it is now July 3, Yahoo is helping him out by keeping the Box Office tally frozen on 27 June even though Spiderman-2 took in $40.4 million on its first day.
Good for GKC Theaters!
"many people in the local area have wanted GKC to show the DOCUMENTARY"
It isn't a "documentary". It is "propaganda" according to "The Random House College Dictionary". It drives me nuts to hear it called "documentary".
Hmmm, has anyone spoken up from his childhood, and teenage years? It would be interesting to see how he got his mindset. He lied about his origins, for one thing. He had a comfortable upbringing, but he needed "street cred", so he lied.
I think he is exhibiting the clinical behavior of a narcissist, and could also be classified as a sociopath. He craves attention, bad or good, it doesn't matter. People who have these personality disorders also tend to be pathological liars.
I think we could all agree that he is exhibiting infantile behavior by seeking attention by any means possible. I would just love to know what his former school mates and neighbors have to say about his upbringing...
To me, he's just another leftist asshole :-)
GKC has decided not to show Michael Moore's controversial anti-Bush movie "Fahrenheit 9-11". They stated it is inappropriate when our troops in the field should have the country's support. Do you agree or disagree with GKC's decision?
Agree
Disagree
Poll, top of front page, right middle.
Freep this poll early and often. The local National Socialists at the University appear to have gotten there first. ;-)
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